Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Featherweight

Featherweight

Injuries derailed planned Aldo fights against Erik Koch and Frankie
Edgar in the second half of 2012. Barring any unforeseen setback,
the UFC’s 145-pound ruler will put his 14-fight winning streak on
the line against former lightweight king Frankie Edgar at UFC 156
on Feb. 2.

It seems like there is always tough luck for Bellator’s 145-pound
division. The latest rash of unfortunate circumstances comes
courtesy of incumbent champion Curran, who suffered a broken
orbital bone two weeks out from his slated Aug. 24 title defense
against Patricio Freire, putting yet another Bellator 145-pound
title fight on ice for the time being.

Mendes’ first post-Jose Aldo bout was a gimme, as he socked Cody
McKenzie in a mere 31 seconds. The next outing for “Money” is a
much tougher assignment, however, as he meets once-beaten Nova
Uniao standout Hacran Dias at UFC on FX 6 on Dec. 15 in
Australia.

Lamas earned the biggest victory of his career at UFC on FX 4,
where he took a unanimous decision over the highly regarded Hatsu
Hioki. The Chicagoan will attempt to continue his ascent up the
divisional ladder against fellow title hopeful Erik Koch at UFC on
Fox 6 at Chicago’s United Center.

The former Shooto world champion appeared to be on the brink of
challenging Jose Aldo before an upset loss to Ricardo Lamas in June
knocked him from his perch as the No. 2 featherweight in the world.
The Japanese fighter will welcome Clay Guida to 145 pounds at UFC
on Fox 6.

After a successful 145-pound debut against Diego Nunes in April,
Siver was penciled in for UFC 151 action against Eddie Yagin in
September. With the card’s cancellation, the Russian-born German’s
bout with “The Filipino Phenom” was rescheduled for the UFC on Fox
5 bill. However, Yagin withdrew from the Dec. 8 bout, so Siver will
instead face “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 12 alumnus Nam Phan.

In his Oct. 5 outing against Bart Palaszewski, “The Gun” showed his
heaviest artillery to date, absolutely destroying the battle-tested
veteran with a bevy of knockdowns and spinning strikes. The
Brazilian will try to build upon that performance in his home
country when he squares off with Nik Lentz at UFC on FX 7.

Koch was to have faced Jose Aldo twice in 2012: at UFC 149 and at
UFC 153. Of course, the injury gods had other ideas, and now “New
Breed” will have to earn his way back to the No. 1 contender’s
spot, beginning with a pivotal bout against Ricardo Lamas at UFC on
Fox 6 in January.

“The Korean Zombie” lived up to his name by walking through
everything Dustin Poirier had to offer on May 15 before relieving
the American of his consciousness with a fourth-round brabo choke.
With his third straight win, Jung put himself into legitimate
featherweight contention, emerging as more than just an “action
fighter.”